Mother, Behold Your Son”

“Mother, Behold Your Son”

He said to His mother, “Mother, behold your son” (John 19:26–27).

Greetings in the powerful name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the name above all names. Let us reflect on these words of life while we are still alive. Scripture tells us:

John 19:25–27 (ESV):
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”

1. Christ’s intentional relationships

You may ask: why would Jesus create such intimate relationships at the cross? Surely, there were many people around Him—women, disciples, even those He had healed—but His gaze singled out only two: His mother, Mary, and the beloved disciple, John.

Jesus had many followers, yet He entrusted His mother to none of them. John, too, had his own mother, yet Jesus did not ask him to care for her. Instead, He gave John this responsibility. Upon hearing this command, John took her into his home and cared for her faithfully.

This relationship was deeply theological: it demonstrates Christ’s care for human relationships and His provision for the vulnerable. It also shows that spiritual responsibility in the Body of Christ can transcend biological ties. This aligns with Paul’s teaching:

Galatians 6:10 (ESV): “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Here, John becomes Mary’s “son,” and Mary becomes John’s “mother,” illustrating that in Christ, family is defined not only by birth but by love, obedience, and service.

2. Contemplating Christ enables true Christian love

Relationships like these—caring for someone who is not your mother, calling someone “son” who is not your child—do not happen naturally. They come only from contemplating Christ.

As the Church, we cannot truly love one another as brothers and sisters unless our eyes are fixed on the crucified Christ. If we view Christ merely as a provider of blessings or miracles, we miss the depth of Christian love. Attending church only for convenience, business, or physical healing leaves gatherings empty.

Consider the crowds who followed Jesus for healing (Mark 3:7–10 NIV). They were in the thousands, yet few truly knew one another. Similarly today, we may gather in large numbers, but without unity, love, and fellowship, God’s presence cannot manifest fully.

John 13:34–35 (ESV):
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Christ is grieved when we claim to be Christians yet harbor resentment, jealousy, or selfishness—even within the same church. This shows that we have not truly reached Golgotha, where Christ teaches His disciples the essence of sacrificial love.

3. Spiritual insight through Mary and John

The relationship Jesus formed between Mary and John was not accidental. Mary was no longer alone after losing her son; she now had someone to care for her as Jesus Himself would. John, in turn, received unique insight into Jesus’ life through Mary, including the hidden years of His upbringing (Luke 2:51–52). The other disciples, who knew Jesus for only three and a half years, could not have understood these mysteries.

Mary was a woman who treasured Jesus’ words in her heart, pondering them deeply (Luke 2:19 NIV). Through her, John came to understand Christ’s innermost life—knowledge that later enabled him to receive the visions of Revelation on Patmos (Revelation 1:9–11).

This shows a profound theological truth: God ordains relationships to deepen our understanding of Christ and to build the Church. Spiritual insight and discipleship often come through faithful, God-centered relationships.

4. Living out Christlike love in the Church today

Likewise, in our own lives, we may feel broken or hopeless. Yet Christ places loving brothers and sisters around us to encourage, comfort, and guide us. Often, these people help us understand Christ more deeply than anyone else—but this blessing comes only as we keep our eyes on Him who was crucified.

Contemplating Christ’s suffering at the cross—how He died for us, unworthy as we are (Romans 5:6–8 NIV)—moves us to live sacrificially for others each day. It reminds us that true Christian love is active, sacrificial, and Christ-centered.

Therefore, know this: in your church, Christ watches your unity and love for fellow believers. Let Him see your hearts, and He will be glorified through your fellowship.

May the Lord bless you abundantly.

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